How Will The Latest Shakespearean Kardashian Drama Play Out?

Remember the days of Rob Kardashian dating his little sister’s, boyfriend’s, ex-girlfriend when we thought we’d hit peak Shakespearean levels of celebrity drama? Then the father of Kourtney Kardashian's kids started dating his ex-girlfriend's sister's, childhood best friend and we were like 'ok, this is it, this is the peak'. Well, it turns out that for the Kardashians, they were both just a blip on the long (Kris-Jenner paved) road of wild Hollywood antics.

This morning, it was announced that Tristan Thompson and Khloe Kardashian had ended their relationship after he was accused of cheating on her with none other than Kylie Jenner’s long-time best friend Jordyn Woods.

The news was announced last night by Hollywood Unlocked on Instagram, with CEO Jason Lee stating ‘One of my writers was there, Tristan you took everyone’s phone but you let them stay. Jordyn came in, you was smoking hookah, she was all up in your lap, you was all over her and you let the girl spend the night till seven in the morning.’ Khloe and two of her closest friends - Malika Haqq and Larsa Pippen- then appeared to confirm the story. ‘STRONG FACTS’ Malika replied, ‘Amen!!!!’ Larsa added, following Khloe’s initial comment of eight shouting emojis.

In the hours since the news broke, all five names embroiled in the scandal have trended on Twitter. The people are asking questions, the people are calling bullshit, and most importantly, the people are waiting for a response from one of the interested parties. Of course, how they respond to this will tell us everything we need to know, especially when some Twitter users are sceptical that it’s all a massive publicity stunt.

It sounds very cynical, given the amount of heartbreak involved in all of this. Khloe’s young family ripped apart, Kylie forced to choose between her sister and closest confidant, Jordyn now at the mercy of endless trolling and reputational damage. Yet, knowing what we do about the publicity genius that is the mind of Kris Jenner, it it really that far fetched? In fact, many are waiting for the KUWTK season 16 trailer to come out just to confirm suspicions.

True or false, there's no doubt the drama is very much being encouraged by the Kardashian brand. Khloe did not need to confirm the rumours circling online (by a Hollywood gossip site that had been slowly losing followers up until the announcement when it grew by over 100,000 - just saying), and her doing so put an inordinate amount of weight behind the story. So why did they? While the Kardashians do have a history of savagely tearing down other women who they perceive to have wronged them (see: Blac Chyna, Monica Rose, Taylor Swift etc), with so many emotionally invested in this story, it seems wildly callous to confirm such personal drama in such an impersonal way.

Maybe it's because the Kardashian brand is all about creating viral moments, be them out of love or hate. Khloe will likely weather this publicity storm best given she is very much the victim in this scenario. But Kylie and Jordyn? Kylie will probably face criticism should she publicly support, or be seen, with her long-time friend. Jordyn easily has the most to lose, given her friendship with Kylie and largely positive reputation in the modelling industry. Yet, all three women have endured so many media storms, undoubtedly developing thick skin, so maybe this is a drop in the ocean for them?

Realistically all we need is an on-screen teary-eyed apology from Jordyn, most likely throwing Tristan under the bus (or exiled onto that mystery island where all Kardashian exes live), and an emotional hug with Kylie and Khloe for all to be forgotten. Reputation repaired, viewing figures up before the confirmation of another 20 seasons of KUWTK.

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Or maybe things will go down a different route, and we'll see Kylie on the heart-breaking path of having to dump a best-friend, embroiled in years of therapy as a result (that’s not us being dramatic, btw, best-friend breakups are nothing to sniff at)? Will Jordyn’s career be left in tatters without the support of her housemate who also happens to be the 5th richest celebrity in the world?

And what Island will Tristan be exiled too? Will it be the same as Tyga and Scott Disick or will it be the much less accessible (like, we’re talking no-wifi) Island of Lamar Odom, Kris Humphries and Ray J?

Either way, we’ll find out on the next season of KUWTK Kris Jenner cackles in the distance...